Latin Name: Geranium maculatum
Family: Geraniaceae
Cranesbill has shown antiviral action against herpes and other viruses. Studies are promising, but human research is needed.
RESEARCH
GENERAL
- Natural Standard (2015). Spotted Geranium Monograph. www.naturalstandard.com
- ACHS. 2017. Course Material, HERB502: Cranesbill monograph. www.achs.edu
ANTIVIRAL
- Geranium sanguineum had an antiviral effect against herpes related to polyphenol compounds. From: Serkedjieva, J., & Ivancheva, S. (1998). Antiherpes virus activity of extracts from the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 64(1), 59-68.
- The tannin rich content of cranesbill contributed to its anti-herpes effect. Multiple herbs were discussed in their actions against herpes. From: Yarnell, E., & Abascal, K. (2005). Herbs for treating herpes simplex infections. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 11(2), 83-88.
- This mega review discussed herbs for treating herpes infection including mints and other plants from the Lamiaceae family, tannins as found in Geranium species, Chinese rhubarb and chinaberry, and other herbs like tea tree, St. John’s wort, algae, echinacea, and astragalus. From: Abascal, K. (2005). Herbs for Treating Herpes Simplex Infections. ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES.
- This study demonstrated antiviral effects of geranium and its constituent hyperin, against Hepatitis B. From: Li, J., Huang, H., Zhou, W., Feng, M., & Zhou, P. (2008). Anti-hepatitis B virus activities of Geranium carolinianum L. extracts and identification of the active components. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(4), 743-747.
- A spray containing Geranium sanguineum protected mice from influenza. From: Serkedjieva, J., Gegova, G., & Mladenov, K. (2008). Protective efficacy of an aerosol preparation, obtained from Geranium sanguineum L., in experimental influenza infection. Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 63(2), 160-163.
ANTIOXIDANT
- Geranium macrorrhizum (Bulgarian geranium), multiple species in the sage family including clary sage, and Potentilla fruticosa extracts possessed very high radical scavenging activity. From: Miliauskas, G., Venskutonis, P. R., & Van Beek, T. A. (2004). Screening of radical scavenging activity of some medicinal and aromatic plant extracts. Food chemistry, 85(2), 231-237.
- The antioxidant and prooxidant properties of Geranium sanguineum showed protective activity in both influenza infected and uninfected mice. From: Murzakhmetova, M., Moldakarimov, S., Tancheva, L., Abarova, S., & Serkedjieva, J. (2008). Antioxidant and prooxidant properties of a polyphenol‐rich extract from Geranium sanguineum L. in vitro and in vivo. Phytotherapy research, 22(6), 746-751.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and constituents of Geranium robertianum and Uncaria tomentosa were demonstrated. From: Amaral, S., Mira, L., Nogueira, J. M. F., da Silva, A. P., & Florêncio, M. H. (2009). Plant extracts with anti-inflammatory properties—A new approach for characterization of their bioactive compounds and establishment of structure–antioxidant activity relationships. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 17(5), 1876-1883.
- Geranium pratense and its phenolic compounds displayed anti-inflammatory activity. From: Küpeli, E., Tatli, I. I., Akdemir, Z. S., & Yesilada, E. (2007). Estimation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity on Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum and its phenolic compounds. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 114(2), 234-240.
ANTI-CANCER
- Geraniin, a tannin in Geranium species, induced apoptosis of human melanoma cells. From: Lee, J. C., Tsai, C. Y., Kao, J. Y., Kao, M. C., Tsai, S. C., Chang, C. S., … & Way, T. D. (2008). Geraniin‐mediated apoptosis by cleavage of focal adhesion kinase through up‐regulation of Fas ligand expression in human melanoma cells. Molecular nutrition & food research, 52(6), 655-663
ASTRINGENT
- The chemotype variation of geranium based on environmental conditions related to the astringent tannin content was discussed.From: Bate-Smith, E. C. (1981). Astringent tannins of the leaves of Geranium species. Phytochemistry, 20(2), 211-216.
By: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 9/27/18
